The Telegraph Herald in Dubuque reports (http://bit.ly/15r86HM ) the man called police to report that Gardner had stabbed him. He said Gardner then grabbed a knife and began cutting her chest and arms to make it look like he cut her.

A criminal complaint says the couple’s 4-year-old son told investigators he saw his mother stab his father. Police say Gardner eventually admitted to hitting the man and cutting herself.

Gardner has been charged with domestic assault causing bodily injury and child endangerment. Court records do not list an attorney for her.